A soldier came to Hakuin and asked "Is there really a paradise and a hell?"
"Who are you?" inquired Hakuin.
"I am a samurai," the warrior replied.
"You, a samurai!" exclaimed Hakuin. "What kind of ruler would have you as his guard?...
continue...

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::\..................S.................. /::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::\...........i................/:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::\.....................l..................../::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::\........................e.................../::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::\......................n.................../:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::\.....................c................../:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::\................. I

Right when I think of why the boy-oh-boymonk would write me, I look outside and a red squirrel pops out from the middle of a tree. Out of nowhere! Oh, there was a branch there once, and he was inside of the hallow trunk. And it's a beech tree, so it's still standing, strong one. Kind of like me, but, no I wasn't, just another pretty a tree, balding is not cute. So, yeah, I can see why he's still cornfused. I have a corn feeder on the red oak. Goes round and round, like me. So the squirrels are just fine. Now I have to go out and cut some wood.

Yes, that is the way. By giving quality attention to each thought, listening to each caring attempt at connecting, the anger of feeling cheated out of attention vanishes. What makes that resolve possible has taken so long, but the rewards of a true way are immediately felt and produce a deeper remembrance to unfold like a flower.

The attempts at relating it are not my strengths, because it goes much further than what I can ever say. The reward is not in convincing anyone with words, convincing without words would feel far more real.

It is how I see the world. How I make the world into an image. Nothing too complicated, but soothing as to help in any small way into the light, to bring the light in through the wooden window, a light from within. Because it is the warmth in the touch, the care in the approach of one for another, one after another, that translates out, into the larger darkness, that space where everyone needs to become whole, to fit back into the whole, world again.

So, the attention I give in one place has to translate out into another, even if it is in silence it reaches. What happens in silence, joins us as one, no words to divide. Let me see, I join wood pieces together, to form the connection, to something otherwise ignored and forgotten. What we might feel like as being found again, as being born, from within, as light.

Accepting what we would, or could otherwise reject erases the duality. It is felt, in the connection, the connection is back on. Rejection separates, as anger forces away any union, with anything as one. The teacher themselves teach through rejection, but may be the only one speaking, the listening is the acceptance, one acceptance. And the listening through silence is going through the rejection of silence.

Nirvana resides within Samsara, as a capacity of all awakening. What opens is Nirvana, opening out to Samsara. What opens each day as a beginning is Nirvana opening in Samsara. But Samsara cannot realize this through a self-separate nonunited duality where any seeing is born in opposition. Nirvana is not opposed to Samsara, but unified, and unifying, until each exists as one to the other, but not counting any separate experience as a number.

And a lesson in doing for others, as one would for self. It's circular.

You know, the other morning after I left work for the ride home, I looked out to the east, the sun was rising, just enough to see the whole thing. And in the opposite direction the moon was setting, also fully whole. I mean, it was one of those connecting sights that correlated both inner and outer realities. And the bigger picture of what it means to be alive was there to grasp, in silence. I don't remember what day it was, doesn't matter, for the event has past, dropped, except for the very vivid memory.

And that memory serves a much higher purpose than just to serve my needs, or our needs to see, to awaken. It gives importance to all that is around and inside of us, and has been there for a very long time, before me, during, and after my thought. So, with the knowledge of my relative finiteness, I adopt an attitude of being in awe of so much more that is beyond my control, even in this place, here on these boards, one may consider it beyond the domain of linear logic, and just look at the whole, which means connecting to the body again, as if being born again each new day, for the sake of the other, what up until this point has been either illogical, or unacceptable, or rejected.

Does this make sense to Shayne? Because, that is really where it is at, in the eyes, in seeing through the eyes, from another.

Ok, so if I am, Shayne, what was down the hallway and to the right, or left? It's not that hard, is it? Don't think so much, that's a clue. Oh shit. That's another one. But a different direction? I think not, therefore I am not?

Love, is not measured by what we can't do, say, feel or think. But the feeling portion is the most important part, because that is where the validation of the intention comes into play, the absolution liberates the heart, the flow. For love is innocent, and holds no barriers up as to what is right and wrong. Love, has no fear, no enemies, no longer loses, anything, to another. Winning friends or enemies, is a game, where one conquests over a peak, and shines for some moment of ecstasy for others to see, as if union beyond the limitations of the flesh were only possible through another's example. And more could be said, but...

Quote: "Ok, so if I am, Shayne, what was down the hallway and to the right, or left? It&apos;s not that hard, is it? Don&apos;t think so much, that&apos;s a clue. Oh shit. That&apos;s another one. But a different direction? I think not, therefore I am not? ".........

Quote: "Love, is not measured by what we can&apos;t do, say, feel or think. But the feeling portion is the most important part, because that is where the validation of the intention comes into play, the absolution liberates the heart, the flow. For love is innocent, and holds no barriers up as to what is right and wrong. Love, has no fear, no enemies, no longer loses, anything, to another. Winning friends or enemies, is a game, where one conquests over a peak, and shines for some moment of ecstasy for others to see, as if union beyond the limitations of the flesh were only possible through another&apos;s example. And more could be said, but... ".........

i quess i could agree with this..........still too deep for my understanding though.

Quote: "Love, is not measured by what we can&apos;t do, say, feel or think. But the feeling portion is the most important part, because that is where the validation of the intention comes into play, the absolution liberates the heart, the flow. For love is innocent, and holds no barriers up as to what is right and wrong. Love, has no fear, no enemies, no longer loses, anything, to another. Winning friends or enemies, is a game, where one conquests over a peak, and shines for some moment of ecstasy for others to see, as if union beyond the limitations of the flesh were only possible through another&apos;s example. And more could be said, but... ".........

i quess i could agree with this..........still too deep for my understanding though.

Quote: "Ok, so if I am, Shayne, what was down the hallway and to the right, or left? It&apos;s not that hard, is it? Don&apos;t think so much, that&apos;s a clue. Oh shit. That&apos;s another one. But a different direction? I think not, therefore I am not? ".........

Quote: "Release what needs to be released. Up, down, in, out... that is all. ".........

release hallways ;)

"

Yes, within your inner self. Releasing the pain, anger, greed, and fear. And finding, a guiding light, which manifests as a leading guide, of approval. In complete love, held within, by a complete love..........

Ah, I did no such thing. But I did have to make a trip into town (I'm back), where I could have been amazed at the (show of conspicuous) purchasing power. As it was, I couldn't buy all the things I need.

Wow for after all this. The love for all people. To see the best ting we carry in are hearts. The love to be love and give love. But most of all with the 8 fold pand 4 noble turth. Just love your self. Give your self the love you need to get trougt the day. Give kindness to all things. See all life with the eyes of compassion. 8 fold path. Rory

Wow for after all this. The love for all people. To see the best ting we carry in are hearts. The love to be love and give love. But most of all with the 8 fold pand 4 noble turth. Just love your self. Give your self the love you need to get trougt the day. Give kindness to all things. See all life with the eyes of compassion. 8 fold path. Rory

What is the significance of every moment? Is it possible so see connection, to feel connected to everything, every experience, even pain, and not repel off into denial or repulsion? Even these questions produce a shut down, a turning away from the truth, because we haven't learned to live with the truth, as ugly as it is, until it loses some of it's opposition to who we see ourselves to be, or are becoming into.

We all have ugliness within, fears, cowardice, anger, negative judgments. And out of the negative emotions, we come to value some as acceptable over others. Consider war to we an acceptable form of retribution, of course as long as it is "over there" and not inside ourselves that the warring takes place.

One can even consider our relationships with animals to have a connectedness, especially if we begin to see them as having a dynamic relationship, firstly with an environment that we scarcely tolerate, unless it serves the purpose of giving us the basics, of food, warmth, and the ability to be mobile.

Quote: "What is the significance of every moment? Is it possible so see connection, to feel connected to everything, every experience, even pain, and not repel off into denial or repulsion? Even these questions produce a shut down, a turning away from the truth, because we haven't learned to live with the truth, as ugly as it is, until it loses some of it's opposition to who we see ourselves to be, or are becoming into.

We all have ugliness within, fears, cowardice, anger, negative judgments. And out of the negative emotions, we come to value some as acceptable over others. Consider war to we an acceptable form of retribution, of course as long as it is "over there" and not inside ourselves that the warring takes place.

One can even consider our relationships with animals to have a connectedness, especially if we begin to see them as having a dynamic relationship, firstly with an environment that we scarcely tolerate, unless it serves the purpose of giving us the basics, of food, warmth, and the ability to be mobile.

".........

The significance of every moment is truth. Seeing myself as something to be or becoming, learning to live with truth, thinking I should change into someone I would like to be, is ignorance. We can't give each other something we already are. I am connected so I don't waste energy looking for blame; I respond, I empathise, I don't react to chaos feedback. In empathy, I is interweaving with not-I. 'Awfulising', that is to say, 'Oh how awful for you' isn't empathy. It looks like empathy but it's really an illusion of meaning. As for scarcely tolerating an environment, I have no idea what you mean.

Quote: "Quote: "Consider what makes a mistake bad.".........Have you worked that one out yet?".........

I could say I have, or am, it's on ongoing process, because I don't live in a vacuum. At least, I am around people who consider me, worth being around. And I don't want to lecture, anyone, so I keep pretty quiet about it, and just go through the pain, and the fear, and notice the changes, emotionally and physically, I think I'm sensitive to that, which is a good way. It is a good thing not to ignore the body, or to ignore what is considered "negative", primarily within my own thinking. But after that, I just listen.

Quote: "Quote: "What is the significance of every moment? Is it possible so see connection, to feel connected to everything, every experience, even pain, and not repel off into denial or repulsion? Even these questions produce a shut down, a turning away from the truth, because we haven't learned to live with the truth, as ugly as it is, until it loses some of it's opposition to who we see ourselves to be, or are becoming into.

We all have ugliness within, fears, cowardice, anger, negative judgments. And out of the negative emotions, we come to value some as acceptable over others. Consider war to we an acceptable form of retribution, of course as long as it is "over there" and not inside ourselves that the warring takes place.

One can even consider our relationships with animals to have a connectedness, especially if we begin to see them as having a dynamic relationship, firstly with an environment that we scarcely tolerate, unless it serves the purpose of giving us the basics, of food, warmth, and the ability to be mobile.

".........

The significance of every moment is truth. Seeing myself as something to be or becoming, learning to live with truth, thinking I should change into someone I would like to be, is ignorance. We can't give each other something we already are. I am connected so I don't waste energy looking for blame; I respond, I empathise, I don't react to chaos feedback. In empathy, I is interweaving with not-I. 'Awfulising', that is to say, 'Oh how awful for you' isn't empathy. It looks like empathy but it's really an illusion of meaning. As for scarcely tolerating an environment, I have no idea what you mean.".........

It just seems to me that animals are better adapted to the environment.

Hmm, ok, what I see, is that animals, are considered by humans to be a lesser creation, in that we use them to exist, because of adaptation. And in any person to person interaction, if the other is seen as a lesser, by making mistakes (which can include just about anything as threat), the wall goes up, and the separation occurs. And it is in that separation, that beginning of separateness, that the truth can most honestly be seen. (I just looked up and saw a Buddha statue over the computer, that I have never seen that way before.) I am concerned with the little things that are otherwise ignored, not that I have to say anything.

Speaking of separation, did I mention that I send Ringo to dogy daycare on Wensdays? He get's separation axiety I think, just like the rest of us social creatures. Do they send you out on weekdays, Maria?

Quote: "Hmm, ok, what I see, is that animals, are considered by humans to be a lesser creation, in that we use them to exist, because of adaptation. And in any person to person interaction, if the other is seen as a lesser, by making mistakes (which can include just about anything as threat), the wall goes up, and the separation occurs. And it is in that separation, that beginning of separateness, that the truth can most honestly be seen. (I just looked up and saw a Buddha statue over the computer, that I have never seen that way before.) I am concerned with the little things that are otherwise ignored, not that I have to say anything.".........

Human adaptation (behaviour for example), usually but not always, involves making a conscious/aware/responding choice or an unconscious/unaware/reacting choice in order to win the approval of others. Animals adapting to the desires and wants of humans is about subjugation to human will. So listening is far more than just hearing what someone, animal or human, is saying, it involves being aware of the whole of the communication, often being an active part of the whole. Communication means, 'a shared oneness'. True listening is not merely an act of generosity, rather it is an act of courage.

A cat is a cat. It doesn't try to be anything else but a cat and it does not assume that it is anything other than a cat.

A cat lives for the moment. The here and now. It doesn't think about or give a hoot about the past as it is past. It doesn't think about or give a hoot about the future as it hasn't happened yet.

A cat thinks about it's food (and where it comes from), it's bed, it's environment ("let me out, please"), and it's companionship with other cats. If it chooses to be a companion to a human, then it is a companion. It does need its "alone" time, though...

That is my perception about a cat. It may not have much relevance to this thread and it may not be accurate as I am not a cat. It is a perception, nonetheless...

In terms of animal adaptation, animals reared for food and even cats, don't subjugate themselves to human will, they are subjugated by human will. And yes, I have personally seen many cats who are subjugated by the will of humans, in scientific research laboratories where, for one reason among many, they are given cancers and routinely used as machines in order to test pharmaceuticals.

I've also seen cats who have had the top part of their skulls removed, and kept alive so that scientists can understand how their brains work, how stimulating different parts of their brains produces different responses in their bodies like fear, hunger and fight or flight response.

Love will find a way . It just did. My heart is on fire. I can see the love in your eyes. The love you have is =. To the love you give. Never stop give what is given freely. Love sweet love. What the world needs now.